How do you improve upon an amazingly sharp lens? By adding cutting-edge image stabilization, of course! This lens takes a venerable stable of Canon's lineup (the 100mm f/2.8 Macro, a lens used to test resolution on many sensors because it out-resolves them) and updates it with weather sealing, an improved autofocus motor, and most importantly a new kind of IS system.

"Hybrid" image stabilization not only corrects for lens pan and tilt, but also vertical and horizontal shift of the camera body during the exposure. All in all, it adds up to 4 stops of stabilization - which means you could feasibly hand-hold this lens with a 1/8th of a second exposure. This new IS function also helps with macro shooting, giving 2 stops of stabilization when at full 1:1 macro reproduction.

Whether you're a video shooter looking for a lightweight telephoto for run and gun, a macro shooter looking for an upgrade, or you just want to try one of the sharpest lenses ever made, this lens has something for you.